SEASIDE — Six-year-old Cameron Degolier perched on the back of his father’s tandem bicycle wearing an elf hat Sunday afternoon.
He and his dad were waiting for the signal to set off on the fifth annual South Walton Elf Ride, a holiday benefit that collects toys for children in need in Walton County.
View a slideshow from the Elf Ride.
Cameron, who lives in Freeport, hadn’t been on the tandem before, but said he was ready.
“Me and my dad did a little practice run,” he said.
His father, Joshua Degolier, said it was their second year to participate in the ride.
“We like to give presents to children,” Cameron said and hopped off the bike to show the toys he had picked out to donate to the South Walton Fire District’s Angel Tree gift drive.
Tucked in the bicycle’s basket was a stuffed gnome backpack, a football, a soccer ball and a baseball.
In 2002, the fire district began hosting the Angel Tree drive in conjunction with Sharing and Caring to provide toys for children in need across the county.
Five years ago, a 10-year-old Luke Thompson approached the fire district with the idea for the Elf Ride as a way to benefit their gift drive.
Fire Chief Rick Talbert said when Luke approached him, he immediately knew the ride would be a perfect opportunity to increase participation in the gift drive and give the community a chance to meet their firefighters.
Each participant is encouraged to bring at least one gift to donate to the cause.
Luke has been organizing the ride ever since and it’s been growing progressively each year, Talbert said.
In 2007, they had about 25 riders. This year, about 200 people walked or rode bikes, scooters or skateboards decorated for the holidays.
“We’re so inspired by a young person in the community who is thinking about others,” Talbert said. “That’s what Christmas is all about.”
Luke, who lives in Santa Rosa Beach, said he enjoys organizing the event.
“After the first year, I found it fun and I just continued,” he said. “It feels good to give back.”
Talbert hopped on his Schwinn, donned his Santa hat and took off to the front of the line where dozens of excited children were rearing to get started.
“The chief’s on his bicycle,” one girl exclaimed. “Hurry, get to yours.”
Everyone inched forward and pushed off. There was a clamor of bicycle horns and jingle bells.
Bikes were decorated with shiny red garland, gift bows, poinsettias and ribbon. Children — and a few costumed dogs — perched in bicycle carts.
A man did a wheelie for the camera. Fathers and sons took off on their skateboards.
The riders wound along the beach along County Road 30A and then cut up to the fire station off County Road 395.
At the very back of the line, Santa and his elf rode on another bicycle built for two.
This year, on a sunny 75-degree day, Santa wore his traditional heavy red coat. More weather-appropriate Hawaiian print bathing suit shorts peaked out underneath.
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Lauren Sage Reinlie at 850-315-4443 or lreinlie@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @LaurenRnwfdn.